Doctor who started clinic for people with intellectual disabilities is ST Singaporean of the Year

SINGAPORE – A doctor who started Singapore’s first dedicated clinic for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) was named The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2025.

On March 19, Dr Chen Shiling was presented the award by its patron President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was the guest of honour at the award ceremony at Temasek Shophouse.

Determined to tackle gaps she saw in the healthcare system for people with ID, Dr Chen quit her job at a public hospital in 2013 and founded Happee Hearts Movement a year later.

The charity, which runs the IDHealth clinic, a community-based healthcare service in Upper Thomson Road, has since served about 500 people with ID and more than 1,000 of their caregivers.

At the ceremony, Dr Chen, 45, received a trophy, along with a $20,000 cash prize, a five-night stay at any of Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ global properties, and a pair of Singapore Airlines (SIA) business class tickets.

She was nominated alongside seven other finalists, including former school canteen vendor, Ms Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, 37, who provides free breakfasts for underprivileged children in her neighbourhood, and Mr Steven Goh, 48, who founded charity Helping Joy to help hoarders declutter their homes.

The finalists each received a certificate and a $5,000 cash prize, a three-night stay at any of Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ global properties, and a pair of SIA economy class tickets.

Now in its 11th year, the award – organised by The Straits Times – honours a Singaporean individual or group that has made significant contributions to society.

It also pays tribute to those who have put Singapore on the world map or have gone beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others. 

UBS Singapore has been the presenting sponsor of the award since its inception. The other sponsors are SIA, and Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

This year’s award was decided by a panel comprising ST editors, UBS representatives and individuals who have made their mark in various fields. The panel also took into account the results of more than 9,000 votes from the public.

Two other accolades were added for the first time to recognise a broader group of Singaporeans.

The ST Singaporean of the Year (International Impact) award, which honours a Singaporean or local organisation that has made a positive impact outside of Singapore, was given to Mr Robert Kee, 77, a former entrepreneur who runs a charity helping impoverished children and families in Cambodia and Nepal.

Gymnast Amanda Yap, 16, won the other new accolade – ST Young Singaporean of the Year – which recognises a Singaporean under 18 who has shown courage, compassion, empathy, kindness or a spirit of service, and has made a positive impact among peers.

Among the ceremony’s guests were past winners, including 2025 recipient, Mr Koh Seng Choon, who founded a foodcourt, Dignity Kitchen, which employs people with disabilities.

SPH Media chief executive Chan Yeng Kit also attended the dinner event.

As a doctor in 2010, Dr Chen started organising health screenings for people with ID when she was volunteering with various social service agencies and discovered that many of their health problems were poorly addressed.

Patients with ID may not be able to communicate their pain and symptoms, instead expressing it through shouting or agitation, which can be mistaken for behavioural problems. They also have a higher prevalence of other health conditions, including mobility issues and sensory processing difficulties, said Dr Chen.

Her attempts to persuade government agencies, philanthropic groups and other organisations to set up a dedicated healthcare service for people with ID went nowhere, so she decided to start it on her own.

IDHealth’s team, which is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers and allied health professionals, started seeing residents with IDs living in adult disability homes in 2024. It plans to launch three new services in palliative care, dementia care and preventive health in 2026.

Mr Jaime Ho, editor of The Straits Times, said the nominees represent the very best of Singapore, and their stories show that heroism is not about a single grand gesture, but a consistent and even persistent commitment to causes beyond themselves.

Addressing the finalists, Mr Ho said: “You have shown us that even in a world that can feel complex and challenging, kindness, grace, and determined action remain our most potent forces.”

President of UBS Asia-Pacific and co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management Iqbal Khan said of the winners: “Guided by a deep sense of responsibility and sustained effort, they have used their unique skills – whether in healthcare, sport or business, to make a meaningful difference, not just in Singapore but far beyond its shores.”

Mr Kwek Eik Sheng, executive director of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, said: “From serving the vulnerable to creating inclusive opportunities and representing Singapore globally, each finalist reminds us that extraordinary impact begins with belief and conviction – and that our nation’s true strength lies in how we uplift, empower and encourage one another.”

SIA’s chief sustainability officer and senior vice-president of corporate planning, Ms Lee Wen Fen, said: “The remarkable work of this year’s recipients reminds us that small acts of kindness and compassion can create profound and lasting impact.”

Ms Yvonne Tay, Temasek Shophouse’s chief executive officer, said: “The nominees of the award remind us that every Singaporean can be a part of building a more connected and inclusive country that we call home.”